"Your books are really excellent - well researched,clearly explained and professionally presented...My congratulations on them"
Terry O'Neill (7th Dan sensei), Merseyside, UK
Fortress Storming This is the book that I was forced to write. One of my students could not believe the junk she was reading in a certain other kata book and asked why there wasn't something on the market that held more sense. I tried to explain that everyone is entitled to their opinions, but she was a rational human being,
and could not understand why anyone would want to believe that the first move from Bassai Dai was leaping forward to block an oi-zuki that couldn't possibly touch you unless you leap forward into it!!!
For a long while we only did this book for my members as a spiral bound thing.
As we got more and more bookings for seminars we ended up having to have it printed and bound just to save time.
It's about Bassai Dai kata, featuring at least one application for every move, a bit of history, and a bit about pressure points. There's a foreword by Russell Stutely, Europe's premier pressure point expert.
This book is companion to Kata & Application volume 8 DVD, orderable below.
If you want practical uses for each move in the kata, then order the book here. It is mailed out worldwide without additional postage charges if you use our "Add to Cart" button. Hit the Lulu button if you'd like a download version.
£14.95
Peaceful Mind This was the next book, looking at the Heian kata that are usually taught to low grade students. There are many more people out there below black than there are at black belt and beyond, so it was wise to produce this for them. It also exists in order to brief higher grade (black belt) students in furthering their education and pushing their boundaries.
Forewords here are by Anthony Blades, Russell Stutely, and Patrick McCarthy
See why x-block isn't for stopping a descending hammer-fist. See what the jump in Heian Godan is really used for. Find out why neither arm in the first move of Heian Nidan and Heian Yondan is "preparatory" for anything, and what those arms are really doing up there. Why stepping to the left is a good idea, even if the opponent is "in your face".
This book features many moves which can be seen on Kata & Application volumes 2-6, which you can order below.
£14.95
Iron Horseman level 1 This one looks at the Tekki Shodan kata and provides useful applications to all of those weird-looking postures. This kata is much misunderstood. It's shortness of performance and the inability to use most of it's techniques in competition Karate mean that it is usually overlooked. In truth it's a work of genius, teaching the practitioner about close-in fighting. Arm-bars, chokes, and close strikes galore!
Order the book to find out why side-ways stepping is mechanically sensible. Why crossing your arms in front of you might just knock the attacker out. Why those ridiculous stories of fighting on horseback, down a narrow alley, or on the narrow paths between ricefields are just nonsense - and what the moves are really for.
Companion to Kata & Application vol 7 DVD - which you can Add to Cart below.
£14.95
Fortress Storming - the minor version
This book is brand new, published at the very end of November 2008. It features applications to the moves in Bassai Sho, Bassai Dai's 2nd degree black belt brother. So few people reach Black Belt, and even fewer get beyond it to really investigate the higher kata. This book acts as complement and comparison to the Fortress Storming book.
As well as featuring practical applications to each and every move - and none of them are defending against a bo staff - the book also contains theory on the relationship between Dai and Sho versions of kata. The companion to Kata & Application volume 14 DVD (which you can Add to Cart below)
£14.95
The Pressure Point Guide for Martial Artists
Diagrams and photos of the points and how to use them. An introductory guide to pressure points, debunking some of the myths. This is the book that people keep asking me for. I think you should find out in class and at seminars, but people just keep asking, so here it is.
This book features some of the most popular pressure point defences that we use most frequently. Far from being just another anatomical atlas, my aim was to demonstrate the kind of blows that we commonly see in the martial arts, and how they are practically landed on these tiny targets for best effect. Explanation is also given for Five Element theory, Yin-Yang Theory, and Quadrant theory - all in plain english and designed to make sense to the martial artist (not the acupuncturist).
Very kindly, Russell Stutely renshi has raved about this book, claiming it's one of the very few things that he keeps on his desk rather than on the shelf.
There is also a 2-disc DVD set available below featuring the points shown in the book.
£19.95
DVDs
December 2009, NEW the Pressure Point Guide for Martial Artists DVD You asked for it, we made it. The Guide in DVD form. Now you actually get to watch people getting bashed on PPs, as shown in the book. This is a 2-disc set. Theory and practice are shown in motion. We've had some people buy the disc just to see Damien Birch sensei getting knocked around... £37.90
SPECIAL OFFER While initial stocks last, the PP Guide DVD set can be had for the special price of £29.95:
Kata & Application DVD Series These DVDs are shot on location at the Karate Academy in Devon. They feature tuition by John Burke sensei and a variety of students and guests. Each DVD takes a look at the moves in a kata, and translates them into useable self defence situations. These "no-frills" DVDs just feature the bunkai; showing locks, takedowns, chokes and strangles rather than long range moves. Choose from the kata that you are studying, but don't foget the "more basic" kata, as these often set the scene for what comes later, and without one, you might not understand the other...
Let's be clear, the outward form might be the same Shotokan form that is demonstrated in many schools heralding from JKA roots. The applications are not from stepping oi-zuki or combinations that only occur with other trained karate-ka. The applications are shown at learning speed so that users can see what is happening, and often with an expanded view because keeping it as close as is really necessary might make the moves un-observable.
These DVDs show why we have kata instead of just free sparring. Frankly - the moves can't be done on a live opponent with full speed and power without hurting them...
Each is £19.95
NEW - you can Download the video here:
Volume 2 - Heian Shodan. No marching forward against an attacker who's walking backwards. Plain illustration of why you'd want to kiai on a "block". 45 degree angles explained.
Volume 3 - Heian Nidan. No chair blocks. No kicks above the waist. See why the kata is presented as it is, and how it really works.
Volume 4 - Heian Sandan. Not kicking knives out of people's hands or sticking your fingers through their sternum, just some low base and throws that work.
Volume 6 - Heian Godan. The culmination of the Heian family. Time to find out what that "jump" is really for, and why manji gamae is NOT a simultaneous high block and low block.
Seminars
Our Vision is to offer the best products and services to our clients and students. To always exceed client expectations resulting in customer delight. Our mission is to provide highest possible quality at the right price.
Our commitment to offer nothing but the very best is reflected in our vision & mission statements. We exist because of our clients and students and we are very grateful to our clients and students who have made us what we are today.
We now strive to take our organization to the next level by supplying Seminars with John Burke sensei in person and his books and DVDs so that we can serve even better. To book a seminar at your dojo, call the UK 01626 360999.
John Burke's Bunkai Resources
Karate Academy, 8 Signal Buildings, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 4FD, United Kingdom
Iron Horseman level 1
Our Vision is to offer the best products and services to our clients and students. To always exceed client expectations resulting in customer delight. Our mission is to provide highest possible quality at the right price.
